Mission StatementJunior Achievement (JA) empowers young people to own their economic success. Delivered by positive adult role models who volunteer their time, JA programs encourage K - 12 students to be entrepreneurial and financially literate while preparing them for the 21st century workforce.

MissionJunior Achievement (JA) empowers young people to own their economic success. Delivered by positive adult role models who volunteer their time, JA programs encourage K - 12 students to be entrepreneurial and financially literate while preparing them for the 21st century workforce.

Impact

Junior Achievement of Central Virginia served over 25,000 students in in Greater Richmond in the 2013-14 academic year.

JACV programs are highly rated by volunteers and teachers. 98% of teachers stated that they would like JA again, 98% of volunteers stated that their experience was very good or excellent and that they would like to volunteer again, and 96% of volunteers felt the JA staff prepared them for the experience.

Needs

Financial support for program continuation and JA classroom volunteers will have the greatest impact on JACV. We intend to strategically increase our organizational capacity to serve more middle and high school students who need the critical information provided by JA programming while maintaining our strong elementary school presence.

Despite serving over 25,000 students last year, JACV has had to turn away over 100 teachers who requested our classroom programs due to limited resources. The opening of the JA facility in Richmond is a critical step in narrowing this service gap. Now we must ensure we have the volunteers, staff, and materials necessary to maintain and expand traditional programs within local schools while gradually increasing JA Finance Park operations to eventually run the program all year around. JACV was fortunate to receive a $50,000 challenge grant from the Mary Morton Parsons foundation in 2012 for technology and building improvements in the JA Finance Park facility. This technology grant will ensure we have the infrastructure in place to support a rapid increase in clients. However, it is the program materials, printing/mailings/brochures, staff salaries/benefits, travel, insurance, participation fees (to JA USA), and other program operation costs that we must fund in order to be able to serve all teachers that request JA programs. In addition, since JACV is entirely volunteer driven, we must increase our volunteer partnerships within the business community in order to deliver the programs to students while creating the important and impactful mentor relationships that enhance the JA program materials.

Background

Junior Achievement Worldwide (JA) has been educating and inspiring young people to succeed in a global economy since 1919. With the support of positive adult role models who volunteer their time, JA enables students to understand entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and work readiness. The programs also encourage confidence and motivate young people to achieve their personal, educational, and career goals.

* Positive student attitudes toward work and their contributions to a diverse society.

* Desire to stay in school and develop their abilities and skills.

* Mentor relationships with caring adults throughout the community.

* Business and education partnerships that create a bridge between the classroom and the workplace.

* Awareness of local businesses, industries, and career opportunities.

JA elementary school programs teach students about their roles as individuals, consumers, and workers in the local economy. JA middle school programs offer education and career options, provide information about the effects of globalization, and build a foundation for making intelligent, lifelong, personal financial decisions. JA high school programs teach the fundamentals of micro-, macro-, personal, and international economics, the principles of the banking industry, the interpersonal and problem-solving skills necessary for the workplace, ethical business practices, and the effective use of income to reach personal financial goals.

Junior Achievement of Central Virginia (JACV) was founded in 1966 and is supported by committed business community leaders who serve on the Junior Achievement Board of Directors as well as an Advisory Board of Directors made up of top level executives. Our Education Advisory Board is comprised of County and City School Superintendents. These professionals provide the organization with valued guidance and support.

A non-profit organization, JACV is generously funded by foundations and area businesses. Individuals also give to the organization and assist with fundraising activities throughout the year. There is no cost to schools and no local or state government funding for JA traditional in-school programs.

CEO Statement

Junior Achievement's purpose is to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy. As President of Junior Achievement of Central Virginia (JACV), my vision is to position JA programs as urgent and relevant in the changing economy within the Greater Richmond area.

JACV has been committed to preparing students, kindergarten through twelfth grade, by teaching them about financial literacy, workforce readiness and entrepreneurship. The need for these life skills remains relevant and necessary for our youth of today.

As we are increasing the programs and impact within the community it is also important to maintain the staff to support that growth. As leader of JACV my vision is to ensure that we not only have the staff to carry out the growth but that we all have a clear understanding of our strategic goal and are working as team to achieve those goals.

As we expand our programming we hope to impact more of the community. Long term JACV aspires to be positioned in the Greater Richmond area as a thought leader and the deliverer of relevant, responsive and innovative programs which build young people's capacity to spur economic development and contribute to the global economic competitiveness.

With your support, JA of Central Virginia exceeded every goal set for 2014. We served over 25,000 students last year – a 16% increase over the previous year. This was accomplished through the dedication of over 2,000 volunteers from over 300 companies. We are also celebrating a 25% increase in JA Finance Park classes and a 14% growth in schools served.

We are excited for the year ahead and continued growth. We will be going paperless in Capital One/JA Finance Park, offering more realistic scenarios and new businesses. We are piloting JA Girl$ to focus on empowering young women through the mentorship of female executives. Additionally, JA Job Shadow will continue to grow, giving high school students the chance to experience a true work environment and learn the skills needed to succeed.

Areas of Service

Areas Served

Area

Metro Richmond

Richmond, City

Ashland

Chester

Chesterfield County

Colonial Heights, City

Hanover County

Henrico County

Petersburg, City

Charlottesville-Albermarle

Hopewell, City

Goochland County

Matoaka

Tri-cities Region

JACV programs serve Kindergarten through 12th grade students throughout the greater Richmond region to include Henrico, Hanover, Richmond, Chesterfield, Colonial Heights, Goochland, Petersburg, Powhatan and other smaller local counties.

In Junior Achievement's elementary school programs, children learn concepts and skills in each grade that build on those taught in preceding grades. This sequential approach is designed to show students how the market system works, its relationship to democratic values and their responsibilities in this system. Students learn how and why people assume roles as citizens, consumers, workers, and employers.

Each grade-level program includes five required, hands-on activities designed to help young students develop appropriate decision-making and workplace skills. The concepts and skills taught are particularly relevant to their social studies classes and can be integrated with the general school curriculum.

Population ServedChildren Only (5 - 14 years)

Short Term Success

In kindergarten through third grades, program themes emphasize the economics of family, neighborhood, community, and city. In the fourth and fifth grades, program themes expand to explore regional, national, and world economies. By the completion of each program, students gain valuable understanding of key concepts and vocabulary as emphasized through the real-world experience the volunteer brings to the classroom.

Long Term Success

Junior Achievement programs aim to ensure that students in Central Virginia understand and believe in their potential to succeed in our free enterprise society and in life. We do this by developing the desire in young people to stay in school and appreciate lifelong learning and positive attitudes toward work and contributing to a diverse society.

DescriptionJunior Achievement of Central Virginia currently offers four programs for middle schools in Central Virginia. With each program, a volunteer, in cooperation with the teacher, leads activities and discussions related to economic and business topics. Specific programs include

JA Economics for Success, JA America Works,

JA Global Marketplace,

JA It’s My Business (after-school program),

and JA Finance Park (capstone program).

Population ServedK-12 (5-19 years)

Short Term Success

JA middle school programs programs teach students business and economic concepts, help them prepare for productive careers, and provide experience in personal economics management. By the completion of each program, students gain valuable understanding of key concepts and vocabulary as emphasized through the real-world experience the volunteer brings to the classroom.

Long Term Success

Junior Achievement programs aim to ensure that students in Central Virginia understand and believe in their potential to succeed in our free enterprise society and in life. We do this by developing the desire in young people to stay in school and appreciate lifelong learning and positive attitudes toward work and contributing to a diverse society.

JA offers nine high school programs for students in grades 9-12. They include economic and business curricula, career and success skills instruction, and an after-school student-led enterprise. Programs include:

-JA Company Program

-JA Be Entrepreneurial

-JA Economics

-JA Titan

-JA Success Skills

-JA Exploring Economics

-JA Careers with a Purpose

-JA Personal Finance

-JA Banks in Action

Population ServedK-12 (5-19 years)

Short Term Success

JA high school programs programs teach students business and economic concepts, help them prepare for productive careers, and provide experience in personal economics management. By the completion of each program, students gain valuable understanding of key concepts and vocabulary as emphasized through the real-world experience the volunteer brings to the classroom.

Long Term Success

Junior Achievement programs aim to ensure that students in Central Virginia understand and believe in their potential to succeed in our free enterprise society and in life. We do this by developing the desire in young people to stay in school and appreciate lifelong learning and positive attitudes toward work and contributing to a diverse society.

DescriptionThere is no more thorough way to educate young people than by using a practical application of knowledge in the academic curriculum. The best intellectual learning occurs in a context that illustrates its practical value. JA’s Finance Park gives students the opportunity to combine practical applications with the general principles they have learned in the classroom. Finance Park offers students personal financial management and career exploration through classroom instruction and active participation in a simulated community. Finance Park is a reality-based, hands-on simulation for 8th grade students. The students learn to make real life budget decisions with real life sitituations.

Population ServedK-12 (5-19 years)

Short Term SuccessJA Finance Park™ teaches students economic and real life concepts, helps them prepare for productive careers, and provides experience in personal economics management. By the completion of the program, students gain valuable understanding of key concepts and vocabulary as emphasized through the real-world experience of the park visit.

Long Term SuccessJunior Achievement programs aim to ensure that students in Central Virginia understand and believe in their potential to succeed in our free enterprise society and in life. We do this by developing the desire in young people to stay in school and appreciate lifelong learning and positive attitudes toward work and contributing to a diverse society.